Ross demands meeting with Luas bosses over 30-minute delay chaos

Transport Minister Shane Ross is demanding a meeting with Luas chiefs to discuss delays to the service.

Frustrated commuters were left standing in the rain for almost half-an-hour yesterday after a breakdown.

Passengers experienced delays on the Green Line because of a technical fault on a tram at Stillorgan.

Luas management has come under fire from the Government as a result of disruption on the lines in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for Mr Ross told the Herald he shares the deep frustration of Dublin commuters over "unacceptable" Luas capacity problems.

"He has already arranged to meet all relevant stakeholders this week to demand full explanations and an immediate plan to address them," the spokesperson said.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) agreed service levels and reliability on the Luas Green Line have fallen below what passengers are entitled to expect.

"On behalf of ourselves, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev, we would like to apologise unreservedly," said a spokesperson.

"NTA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Luas operator Transdev and tram manufacturer Alstom have been meeting to discuss the issues that have caused the drop in the quality of services, and to come up with specific proposals to resolve these problems."

Stranded

Dublin Fine Gael senator Neale Richmond said the capital's Luas service is constantly leaving commuters frustrated, stranded and late for work.

"On Wednesday, Luas users experienced lengthy delays trying to get on trams and were left standing on platforms as the Transdev service clearly cannot cope with the demand from the travelling public," he said.

"It seems now that lengthy delays have simply become the norm for Luas commuters, as trams are increasingly overcrowded and frequency is becoming ever more sporadic."

He said vexed commuters inundated his office all day yesterday and on Tuesday with complaints.

"We are encouraging people not to use cars, yet many who would ordinarily use the Luas Green Line are forced to take taxis to avoid being late for work, or walk," said Mr Neale.

"On Tuesday evening, commuters found themselves dumped out at stops such as Harcourt, Beechwood and Milltown, being told to walk the line as far as Balally as yet another tram had broken down.

"As Luas chaos continues, the commuters are rightly asking when this sorry mess will be fixed."

Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin said there cannot be a situation where a rainy day grinds the whole city to a halt.

"Even though passenger numbers on the Luas increased by 10.2pc in 2017, and the Luas has approximately 30pc more track on the Green Line to service since the opening of the Cross City, only seven more trams will be in circulation this year over last," she added.